Which side quests should I definitely do on my 1st playthrough?

[Stitch]

I'm about 4 hours in and I'm interested in the story (no spoilers if possible, please), but I don't think I'll be 100%ing it since I'm not patient enough to deal with the game's clunkiness.

So what are some side quests I absolutely should NOT skip? Whether it's because they offer a good reward or an interesting/funny situation.

I already know about the one that unlocks fast travel.

I'm playing on Switch, by the way, but I don't think that'll make any difference.

[ReiKaz]

Hello Zack, and someone please explain more if you can.
But don't do my mistake, when I played back in ~2010 on X360. When you have a chance do this quest:

Missions 01-05
05. Nameless Flower
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=775095092
Just wait till is raining, and find white flover icon on map. Go there and take it, drive to George's House and activate+complete quest (give white flover).
He gives you Radio - is fast trave (for some previusly visited areas)l!!! I played all game without it, and is alot.. a lot of driving long distances.

[Doggy Friend]

Emily's side quests.

But consider this:
Pretty much each side quest is interesting or funny in some way, so I'd suggest doing them all - most of them do not require much time and effort anyway.

[zombie-flesheater]

Originally posted by Doggy Friend:

Emily's side quests.

But consider this:
Pretty much each side quest is interesting or funny in some way, so I'd suggest doing them all - most of them do not require much time and effort anyway.

Exactly!
I'd recommend doing all of them, as there's either helpful rewards and / or entertaining character interactions as well as some background story.

The only ones I didn't enjoy and could hardly bother with the rewards are the Sigorney "My pot is getting cold" ones - which still aren't too hard or long with a fast, i. e. York's car.

Some sidequests hide very wholesome / interesting / funny interactions, more often than not adding additional depth to the main story, too.

[Stitch]

Thanks everyone! Yeah, at the end, I've learnt how to navigate the city better and travelling doesn't annoy me as much anymore. I might actually end up not using the radio just because I enjoy the car dialogues.

I still wish you could put up your own marker, though.

[Frate]

I am playing this game for the first time and the way I do it is that I use this guide:
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps3/943433-deadly-premonition-the-directors-cut/faqs/63463
which includes all side quests and collectibles and I also use a picture of the map (https://deadlypremonition.fandom.com/wiki/Locations?file=GREENVALE.jpg)

to navigate myself through the city.

[Dogtor]

Do as many as you can, Nameless Flower is definitely a must. Don't get too hung up about it. I only did like 6 side quests when I played it for the first time, this game deserves a second playthrough B)
Just have fun!